Bailey Bridge to connect Simkot with national road network

BY RAJAN RAWAT,Humla, Nov. 30: A Bailey Bridge is set to be constructed over the Karnali River at Dojam in Kharpu of Kharpunath Rural Municipality-5 located along the Humla section of the Karnali Corridor. 

During the visit to the bridge site, Federal Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal announced that the bridge construction would proceed within three months.

A team led by Minister Dahal and Defense Minister Manbir Rai had recently inspected the proposed construction site at Dojam. The ministers' team visited the site to gather information about the feasibility and status of the project. During the visit, Minister Dahal directed the Department of Roads to begin construction of the Bailey Bridge within three months.

Minister Dahal, along with a delegation that included the Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, inspected the site and discussed the project with the monitoring team from Kathmandu and local stakeholders. He said that the construction of the Bailey bridge in Kharpu would link Simikot, the headquarters of Humla district, to the national road network. 

Although vehicles have reached the far side of the Dojam across the Karnali River since last June/July, the lack of a bridge at Kharpu has prevented Simikot from being connected to the road network. Minister Dahal also pointed out the importance of the bridge and announced that construction work would begin shortly after the delegation's return to Kathmandu. 

The Bailey Bridge will be 50 metres long and will be constructed under the responsibility of the Nepal Army. Minister Dahal said that although a permanent bridge was previously under construction by the Department of Roads, the work was halted a year ago due to challenges, including thermal water seepage and river flooding.